Advice wanted for diving with kids

[TMHeimer]

I agree entirely that 12-13 years is THE WORST age for starting diving.
At that age children do not obey orders as they were doing at 5-7 years, and they often panic.
In my opinion, based mostly on my sons, children should be introduced to dangerous sports well before beginning primary school.
Depending on the sport and the self control of each individual, I think they should start between 4 and 6.
If they do not start so early, then better to wait they are at least 16, better 18.
We introduced our children to many dangerous sports at 4-5 years, such as scuba diving, motocross, alpin ski, mountain climbing.
But for the other sports we had missed, such as rafting, downhill, using rifles, free diving, etc. we did wait that they were grown up, as we were aware of the risks occurring when a child starts a new dangerous activity above 8 years old.

Yes, I agree with you and others about the idea of hiring a pro for quite a number of dives to accompany the kids.
We've had this discussion about age a time or two before and will always disagree I'm afraid. Yes, 5-7 year olds obey orders better that 12-13s. But those 5-7s will eventually be 12 & 13. Back to my old point-- I don't trust any 12-13 OR 5-7 year olds regarding panic situations. Has basically nothing to do with how good and efficient divers they are. Has to do with brain development. I don't think there is a need to introduce 5-7 year olds to mountain climbing either. What's the rush?
Perhaps you have been in situations when your kids were young and observed them not panicking in a life or death situation?
I'm sure some kids may come out of that OK. Maybe.

 

[tr3a]

I started my 2 sons diving when they were 10 & 12. From the beginning they were two of the best dive buddies I have ever had (not counting my wife). That was 23 years ago, they are still top notch.
I hope to begin the process again when my oldest grandchild is old enough

 

[scubadada]

Both my children started diving at 12, both were reasonably responsible and did fine. They are now 36 and 31 and still dive with me, golden!

Bonaire Oct 2019

 

[Scraps]

Adam,

I absolutely agree with your plan to get additional supervision.

The maximum instructor:student ratio for 10- and 11-year old OW students is 2:1. That's all a certified instructor is expected to handle.

Does anything magic happen when the kids get their junior OW cards and add one or two more birthdays that makes it likely an inexperienced parent can manage the dive safely for all three of them? Not likely. Certainly not right away. You are wise to want a DM or instructor to help.

Most charter operators, including the one I work for in Florida, are happy to provide a guide if you reserve one at the time of booking. Parents trying to instill safe practices in their children usually make for great customers.

Best wishes,

 

[girlwithbigtanks]

Lay down the law. It’s an adult activity. Dive like one. Follow the rules and be a good buddy. If they can’t do that they need to grow up. I’ve taught a lot of kids and I have a 12 & 14 year old, neither are divers. They need to ask me to learn, I’m not inviting them. Some kids are ready others aren’t. No messing around.

 

[graham p]

I dove with both my young daughters once, and will probably not do it again. I found that I could only pay attention to one of them at a time and the other could get quite far from me in that time. Luckily my wife is a diver as well and from now on it will be the four of us or two of us, with the three, someone is always alone.

 

[drrich2]

I hope our 8-year old daughter embraces recreational scuba diving one day, so I'm mindful of some of the same issues you are. A few thoughts...

1.) Most Caribbean tourist boat diving I've seen entails everyone giant stride in (less commonly back roll in), descend together, follow a guide on a reef and critter spotting tour and get back to the boat at around the 45 minute mark. Often the group will hit a max. depth around 70 - 80 feet at some point, which is an issue if you're sticking to the depth restriction recommendations for the youngest Junior OW divers. Also, the guide is leading the group of adult divers on a reef tour and hoping to show them critters; he's not watching your kids much. If you're not mindful, it's not hard to accidentally get away from the group (e.g.: you're fascinated with a green moray eel and trying to get a good photo; you finally get closure, look up and 'Oh, crap!'

2.) Paying a private dive guide gets you closer supervision and more of a 'dive at your own pace' experience, without as much pressure to keep up with the group. You can stick to shallower depths.

3.) Another way to avoid deep dives is picking a destination with a horizontal bottom that's fairly shallow. Key Largo in the Florida Keys is a fine choice for this; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands could also work. Key Largo with Rainbow Reef Dive Center 2013 - http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...iving-key-largo-rainbow-reef-dive-center.html Note: I found the viz. at those 2 maybe 50 feet or so? Not as great as Cozumel or the Caymans, but good. Just be mindful you need to stick with your group, if you dive with one.

4.) A shore-diving destination could let you avoid groups entirely and spend plenty of time in the shallows. Bonaire is known for this. I read good things about an operator called V.I.P. Divers; I haven't used them, but with their solid reputation I'd have no qualms about doing so. My Research Notes for Bonaire - My Research Note For Bonaire

5.) On a forum called Quora, a private school teacher posted something things about middle schoolers' behavior in light of their development. In a nutshell, that frontal lobe function improves which is handy, the girls mature a bit quicker, and more of the boys finally get there later in 7th grade. When my wife was considering a teaching career, someone told her of 7th graders that they're not human, they're mutants, or something like that. My point is, be mindful that age 12 or so can be developmentally impactful on a kid's functioning.

 

[Belzelbub]

I'm not confident that either of them could rescue me if something serious happens, and I couldn't rescue them both at the same time if needed.

First, take one at a time. And let them dictate the dive. Do easy dives to build up their confidence, and correct them as appropriate.

My daughters are now 13 and 16. Both got certified at 10. When I dive with them, the focus is on whatever they want to do. Most of my ocean dives are spearfishing dives. When they are with me, hunting is secondary. The oldest has started to spearfish herself now, but earlier dives I often came up with no fish on the stringer. That was fine, as the main point of those dives was getting them the experience.

I dove with both at once on one occasion. I don’t plan on doing that again, at least for a while. They both handled it fine, but it was stressful for me. Watching one newer diver is one thing. Watching two is way more difficult.

If I were you, I’d wait on that AOW class for them. Get some dives in and get them comfortable before going on for more training.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'm looking for advice on diving with my two sons, ages 12 & 13.

We all just completed our PADI OW certification and are taking the AOW next month to get more dive experience while being supervised. I don't feel comfortable with just all 3 of us diving together being each other's buddies. I'm not confident that either of them could rescue me if something serious happens, and I couldn't rescue them both at the same time if needed. In our outdoor adventures together (we ski, hike, and bike a lot together) I always make sure I can handle the worst possible scenario.

Given that we live in southeastern Pennsylvania, the options for local diving are somewhat limited (especially since Dutch Springs is most likely closing). I imagine that most of our diving will be on trips (North Carolina, Florida, Caribbean, etc.).

I'm thinking the best thing for us to do for the time being is to always dive with someone else with much more experience. I anticipate that means hiring someone to go along with us. How would you advise locating someone? Contact LDS in the area before the trip, post on SB, or something else? Any other advice for me?

Thanks,
Adam

Did you tell the instructor this? You should have. I have certified 12 and 13 yr olds that I'd trust to save me before some adults. I just certed a 10 yr old young lady that I know could at least get me up from depth and tow me to shore. If I don't think the kids could help the parent, especially two of them acting as a team, I don't give them a card.
I would not take the AOW feeling like this. I would ask around for an instructor or even good DM to just come and dive with you for a weekend. You might have to pay them, but it will be cheaper than shelling out for 3 AOW classes that you probably won't get much out of because of how you feel now.
A crappy AOW class you might be ok in. I wouldn't let you start mine given your feelings. You would probably be frustrated more than anything because I expect you to have the basics down and be ready for a lot of new skills and information.
Some places use the AOW card as a release from liability and will put you on dives you have no business being on.
If you came to me, I'd work on why your not feeling comfortable now and make sure you and your kids were more than anything. Nice easy dives where you'd switch roles leading and planning. I'd make you do rescue skills as well as focus on what you need to do not not have to resort to them.
You'd get handouts and we'd work on dive planning, gas management, and buddy skills. You'd have to supply or rent your gear but that's not a big deal. The quarry I use has complete rental gear sets at reasonable cost and it's all newer and up to date.
If you were willing to come to me I'd charge 75 per person per day. You wouldn't get a card, but you'd get the skills and knowledge as well as just practicing diving so that down the road you would benefit from a good AOW class.
Our local spot closes Oct. 15th or thereabout depending on the weather.
If I were you, I'd try to get some pool time in and practice just being in the water together and then do more training next season. If you go on a trip now, DO NOT TAKE A CLASS, hire a DM or instructor and just dive with them.

 

[Lorenzoid]

. . . I'm not confident that either of them could rescue me if something serious happens, . . .

I just wanted to commend you for simply having had this thought. You might be surprised how many people who dive with their kids think only of how they would be able to help their kids, not the other way around. It's not even always about "something serious"; buddy teams should be able to make decisions together and look out for each other generally.